RoadVitals

1991 Buick Park Avenue

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
92
Latest Sep 20, 2006
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 23, 1991
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 92 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Buick Park Avenue, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes5955.1%
  • Electrical98.4%
  • Engine76.5%
  • Transmission43.7%
  • Body & structure43.7%
  • Visibility32.8%
  • Driver assistance32.8%
  • Interior & seats32.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
91V167000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

Sep 23, 1991
20,765 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA93011ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL LINE FAILURE

Opened May 3, 1993
Closed May 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION

Opened Apr 15, 1992
Closed Aug 14, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 92
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TOPPED OUT AT 40 MPH. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY OPENED UP, REVVING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE THROTTLE BY THE CONTACT, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ID
10168735
Incident
Sep 19, 2006
Mileage
93,376 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 24, 2005

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE TIRE LEANING ALMOST OFF THE AXLE AND FOUND LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *TC THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10108950
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Visibility
Filed Sep 15, 2004

DESIGN FLAW WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE VEHICLE'S WIPER DISCONNECTED FROM THE WIPER ARM. THE PLASTIC CLIP WHICH SECURED THE WIPER TO THE ARM RELEASED TOO EASILY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10092905
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WENT OUT AROUND 2:00 THE OTHER NIGHT. WE WERE ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. TRYING TO DETERMINE IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN TILT STEERING TO CAUSE THIS. SEEMS AS IT IS WIRE BROKE OR SOMETHING CAME UNPLUGGED. HAVE ALREADY CHECKED FUSES.

NHTSA ID
10068889
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Oct 16, 2003

CONCERNED CITIZEN: NEW OWNER JUST PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER A 1991 BUICK PARK AVENUE, WITH 100,000 MILES, VIN [XXX], AND WAS DRIVING THE AUTO WHEN THE MOTOR AND CRADLE FELL TO THE ROAD. THIS IN TURN DETACHED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE CONTROL OF AUTO WAS LOSS. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10043046
Incident
Sep 9, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 26, 2002

BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT

NHTSA ID
768930
Incident
Jun 1, 2002
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 7, 2001

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. CONSUMER NOTED KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
882331
EngineTransmission
Filed Jan 25, 2001

MOTOR CAM BEARING BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *SLC

NHTSA ID
559183
Incident
Dec 31, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

832006

STRUCTURE:BODY

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC

98833005

SUSPENSION

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE

10001

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION ON GROWLING NOISE IN TRANSAXLE DURING FIRST FOUR MINUTES AFTER START UP. *YC

971101631041

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS).

731608

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Park Avenue by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005800—
2004120037.7
2003331034.3
2002321252.3
2001572261.2
2000813359.4
19991403462.8
19982462562.0
19972193562.5
1996593361.1
19951171041.7
1994480039.9
1993641049.3
1992771150.8
1991Viewing921258.0
1990121137.4
1989210041.1
1988190042.4
1987130040.0
1986600—
1985100029.1
1984200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.